The Patrol Division currently consists of one captain, seven lieutenants and thirty patrol officers.
Officers in the Patrol Division are responsible for answering service calls, enforcing traffic laws and investigating motor vehicle accidents. Patrol officers are also responsible for warrant service, primary tactical response and maintaining order in the community. The men and women of the Patrol Division provide around the clock protection and services to the citizens of Lancaster.
The current Patrol Captain is Captain William Gummo.
Our current Administrative Captain is Captain Jonathan Ziders.
The Detective Bureau currently consists of one captain, one detective lieutenant and seven detectives. The Detective Bureau is responsible for investigating crimes of a serious nature (robbery, burglary, arson, etc.), including narcotics investigations. Detectives also conduct follow up investigations on crimes that are referred to them by the Patrol division. The Detective Bureau is responsible for the handling, processing and secure storage of all evidence. All of our detectives receive specialized training in crime scene management, crime scene photography, and interview and interrogation skills.
Captain Jeffrey Smith is currently in charge of our Detective Bureau.
TO CONTACT THE DETECTIVE BUREAU, PLEASE CALL (716) 683-3120.
Narcotics/Illicit Drugs Tip Line: (716) 683-3120 ext. 138
Or you can email us:
General Tips: tips@police.lancasterny.gov
Narcotics: narcotics@police.lancasterny.gov
Please tell us as much information as you can about the problem, so we can better address your concern.
Our Department currently has three police officers assigned to work full-time in our schools during the school year. These officers are based at Lancaster High School, Lancaster Middle School and the William Street School/elementary schools, but respond to the other schools in town, as needed.
A School Resource Officer (SRO) is a law enforcement officer who is assigned to either an elementary, middle, or high school. The main goal of the SRO is to prevent juvenile delinquency by promoting positive relations between youth and law enforcement. The SRO position encompasses three major components which allow the SRO to achieve this goal: law enforcement, education, and counseling. These three components allow the SRO to take a proactive approach to law enforcement. SRO’s are not just “cops on campus”. SRO’s provide all law enforcement duties on their campus. They also educate the students by teaching law classes and other related subjects in the classrooms and counsel both students and parents on various topics. The SRO becomes involved in the students’ lives as a positive role model. The intent is that the positive experiences students have with the SRO will bridge the gap between juveniles and law enforcement, and in doing so, help prevent juvenile crime.
The contact information for our SROs is listed below:
S.R.O. Stacy Maute – Lancaster High School
Phone: (716) 686-3301
Email: smaute@lancasterschools.org
S.R.O. William Loewer – Lancaster Middle School
Phone: (716) 686-3226
Email: WLoewer@police.lancasterny.gov
S.R.O. John Zimmerman - William Street School and all elementary schools
Phone: (716) 686-3800
Special Units/Details
Traffic & Accident Investigation Unit – headed by a Patrol lieutenant, this unit addresses traffic complaints and Vehicle and Traffic Law enforcement, and is also responsible for the investigation of all motor vehicle accidents that involve serious injuries or fatalities.
Honor Guard – a ceremonial unit, composed of motivated volunteers from our Department. The primary role for honor guards is to provide funeral honors for fallen comrades. An honor guard team also serves as 'Guardian of the Colors' by displaying and escorting the national flag during ceremonial occasions.
Crisis Negotiation Unit - this unit consists of trained police officers who negotiate with a person or group of people actively involved in a criminal, domestic, or mental health incident. The unit strives to resolve situations in a way that minimizes harm.
Police Bike Patrol – The main areas of concentration are the Village Business District, Town Parks and the Heritage Trail. Officers will be detailed to bike patrol spring through the fall as weather permits.